The latest additions to my CD collection have been great. Here’s a quick rundown of what I’m listening to.

1. The White Stripes – Elephant: I’m really impressed their follow up to White Blood Cells doesn’t suck. In fact, it’s great. The solo’s guitar tone on “Girl, You Have No Faith in Medicine” makes my brain jump.

2. Frank Black – The Cult of Ray: At first I thought this album was a dud compared to FB’s other 2 pre-Catholic solo albums. After listening to it 3 times I’m changing my opinion. How the hell does Frank do that every time? I swear he’s got some sort of subliminal message on all his albums except “Black Letter Days.” Actually, maybe I should go give BLD another shot, too.

3. Ween – Chocolate and Cheese: Living in this area gives me no excuse for not being a Ween fan until now. “Spinal Meningitis (Got Me Down)” is so creepy I’m afraid to listen to it and who would have thought I could ever like a song called, “Mister Would you Please Help my Pony?”

4. The Kinks – Arthur – Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire: I’m trying to get into the Kinks and this is my first purchase. So far it’s decent, but I’ve only listened to half of it.

I also need to share with you a review someone wrote of one of my favorite albums, Frank Black’s Teenager of the Year.

I once cranked it out the top of a decapitated VW Bug and the neighbors thought about calling the cops until they heard the music. When aliens come and we have to make a case as to why they shouldn’t eat us, we should just hit play.